Summary

Early in the New Year, while Niou and Nakanokimi are enjoying some time together, a private message for Nakanokimi arrives from Uji. Though Nakanokimi does not tell Niou who the letter is from, he quickly understands that it is a letter from Ukifune. Since Niou has thought of Ukifune in the days and months since he saw her, he decides that he must look for her at Uji.

With this errand in mind, Niou goes secretly to Uji and attempts to find Ukifune. In the middle of the night, he sneaks up to a house and has a look at the interior through a crack in the shutter. Luckily his instincts are right, and he sees Ukifune lying in front of him. As he continues to gaze at her, Niou notices that there is a distinct resemblance between Ukifune and Nakanokimi but it does not dissuade him from...